NEWS FILE PHOTO Jaime Rogers, manager of homelessness and housing development Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, at an event to mark year nine of the journey to end homelessness.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The mayor of Nanaimo recently made headlines for saying he believed there were some homeless people who needed to be institutionalized.
Jaime Rogers, manager of homelessness and housing development for Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, shudders at mention of the word “institutionalized” because it conjures up awful images from the film – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Rogers also notes that all the issues homeless individuals face, including mental health, are not as prevalent as addictions. Others may be housed but are struggling with mental health issues and could experience episodic homelessness.
A community engagement process “identified a gap,” said Rogers.
The concept of a mental institution is something we have done away with in the province but not everyone may have successfully blended into the community. There are some individuals who would do better with assistance in a supportive living environment.
Rogers likes the analogy of a seniors’ residence. Generations ago the place many seniors were taken when they could no longer be cared for by family was an “institution” and many people may remember smells of urine and disinfectant with seniors staring vacantly into space.
Gone are those days. There was a paradigm shift in our culture and “seniors’ residences/retirement homes” sprung up looking like resorts or well-appointed hotels. Seniors come and go but they receive supports at a range of levels that help them live comfortably. Even seniors dealing with severe dementia are often cared for in smaller cottages resembling a regular home environment.
The mayor of Nanaimo estimates his city, with a population of about 100,000, has up to 800 homeless people. He said “many” are mentally ill and are causing public disorder. He feels it is a provincial responsibility to assist those who can’t function on the street.
Rogers agrees there are individuals with a mental health issue that would benefit from living in the equivalent of a seniors’ residence. Perhaps they could be called “restful villas.” Like seniors they would have their own room and ensuite but benefit from prepared nutritious meals, a communal lounge and could come and go throughout the day if they wanted to. They would get better rest at night in their own room but someone else would be making sure it was clean and was looking out for them.
Murray Kumm of The Mustard Seed agrees with the concept and can see how this may help.
Barry Knodel, local managing director for The Mustard Seed, says there is an 80 per cent success rate for those who are provided with supportive accommodation for one year rather than just a short stay in a homeless shelter. He says there should be places to support those dealing with mental health challenges.
Rogers says a “restful villa” would need to have medical and mental health staff to provide supports and assistance as required.
That means it is a “health response” rather than a “housing” one, said Rogers.
The privately owned and publicly funded supportive living options for seniors are overseen by Alberta Health Services.
